ADAPTING PORTABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICES TO RECEIVE POWER WIRELESSLY

• US 20150311745A1
• Filed: 07/09/2015
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Beart, Pilgrim G.W., Whitewood, David P., Cheng, Lily Ka-Lai, Hay, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,007,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment

Abstract

Wireless power receiving apparatus 150 is retrofitted to a portable electrical device 100 to enable the device to receive power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power-receiving element 200 adapted to be attached to the device, e.g. by adhesive 201, and also being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximity with one another. One or more power connectors 203 are connected electrically to the power-receiving element and are adapted to be connected, when the apparatus is in use, to one or more corresponding power connectors 101 of the portable electrical device to deliver power received by the element to the device. The power-receiving element may be in the form of a sticker or may be carried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion for the portable electrical device.

Claims

1. A portable electrical device having a battery cover, the portable electrical device comprising:

internal power contacts on the portable electrical device other than battery contacts on the portable electrical device, wherein said internal power contacts are located on the portable electrical device behind the battery cover;

a wireless power receiving apparatus attached to the battery cover to enable the portable electrical device to receive power wirelessly, said wireless power receiving apparatus including;

a power-receiving element for receiving power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the portable electrical device and the transmitter are in proximity with one another,

a power connector for electrically connecting said power-receiving element and said internal power contacts on the portable electrical device other than battery contacts on the portable electrical device to deliver power received by said power-receiving element to the portable electrical device.

2. The portable electrical device of claim 1 wherein fitting the cover on the portable electrical device automatically brings said power-receiving apparatus power contacts into electrical connection with said internal power contacts of the portable electrical device.

3. The portable electrical device of claim 1 wherein fitting the cover on the portable electrical device covers said battery compartment and one or more additional parts of the portable electrical device.

4. The portable electrical device of claim 1 including power-conditioning circuitry operable to condition power received by said power-receiving element.

5. The portable electrical device of claim 4 wherein said power-conditioning-circuitry includes circuitry capable of converting alternating current delivered by the power receiving element into power suitable for charging a battery.

6. A portable electrical device comprising:

a battery including battery side battery contacts;

device side battery contacts within a battery compartment of the portable electrical device for electrically connecting said battery side battery contacts of said battery to said device side battery contacts of the portable electrical device;

device side internal power contacts other than said device side battery contacts of the portable electrical device, wherein said device side internal power contacts are located on an internal surface of the portable electrical device;

a power receiving apparatus to enable the portable electrical device to receive power wirelessly, said power receiving apparatus including

a power-receiving element for receiving power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the portable electrical device and the transmitter are in proximity with one another; and

power-receiving apparatus side power contacts for electrically connecting said power-receiving element and said device side internal power contacts to deliver power received by said power-receiving element through said device side internal power contacts.

7. The portable electrical device of claim 6 wherein said power receiving apparatus is attached to a cover for the portable electrical device, wherein fitting the cover on the portable electrical device automatically brings said power-receiving apparatus side power contacts into electrical connection with said device side internal power contacts of the portable electrical device.

8. The portable electrical device of claim 6 wherein said power receiving apparatus is attached to a cover for the portable electrical device, wherein fitting the cover on the portable electrical device covers said battery compartment and at least a portion of said internal surface of the portable electrical device.

9. The portable electrical device of claim 6 wherein said power-receiving element is attached to a portion of an internal surface of said device.

10. The portable electrical device of claim 6 including power-conditioning circuitry operable to condition power received by said power-receiving element prior to delivery to said battery.

11. The portable electrical device of claim 6 including power-conditioning circuitry capable of converting alternating current delivered by said power receiving element into power suitable for charging said battery.

12. A portable electrical device for use with a battery cover, the portable electrical device comprising:

a housing having a battery compartment;

device-side battery contacts within the battery compartment of the portable electrical device configured for electrical connection to battery-side battery contacts of a battery;

device-side internal power contacts other than said device-side battery contacts, said device-side internal power contacts configured for electrical connection to power contacts of a wireless power-receiving element;

wherein the portable electrical device is configured such that a cover fits on the portable electrical device to automatically bring said device-side internal power contacts of the portable electrical device into electrical connection with power contacts of a wireless power-receiving element on a battery cover.

13. The portable electrical device of claim 12 wherein the portable electrical device is configured such that a cover fits on the portable electrical device to cover said battery compartment and one or more additional parts of the portable electrical device.

14. The portable electrical device of claim 12 including power-conditioning circuitry operable to condition power received prior to delivery to a battery.

15. The portable electrical device of claim 12 including power-conditioning circuitry capable of converting alternating current into power suitable for charging a battery.

16. A cover for use with a portable electrical device to enable the device to receive power wirelessly, the cover comprising:

a power-receiving element for receiving power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when said power-receiving element and the transmitter are in proximity with one another;

power contacts for electrically connecting said power-receiving element and internal device power contacts on the portable electrical device other than battery contacts on the portable electrical device to deliver power received by said power-receiving element to the portable electrical device, wherein the internal device power contacts are separate from battery contacts on the portable electrical device;

wherein fitting the cover on a portable electrical device automatically brings said power contacts into electrical connection with the internal power contacts on the portable electrical device other than battery contacts on the portable electrical device.

17. The cover of claim 16 including power-conditioning-circuitry capable of converting alternating current delivered by said power receiving element into power for charging a battery.

18. The cover of claim 16 wherein said power-receiving element is attached to an internal surface of the cover, such that said power-receiving element is hidden from view when fitted on a portable electrical device.